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Sam Branson, the son of Virgin billionaire Richard Branson, says he is heading to the British Virgin Islands to help with the relief effort following Hurricane Irma - and has appealed to anyone who has a boat to join him.

An aerial view of Virgin Gorda's Leverick Bay in the British Virgin IslandsCredit:
Caribbean Buzz Helicopters

Sir Richard also own an island in the British Virgin Islands and his son says he is prepared to see it in ruins when he arrives.

"If you have boats, then please get them to the BVI," Sam said in a video posted on Instagram. "Going to be harrowing to see my home and so many others' beloved place so decimated but will do all I can to get aid to the people that need it most!".

The islands' governor, Gus Jaspert, said there had been devastating damage and "reports of casualties and fatalities" following the storm.

He added: "I am truly heartbroken by this news. May God bless and protect the territory and our people."

Electricity is completely down on Tortola, the largest of the islands while the small local hospital has doubled up as a shelter for those left homeless. A curfew has been imposed between 6pm and 6am.

Pictures now emerging from the islands show vehicles strewn across roads and houses completely destroyed.

Credit:
Jalon Manson Shortte

Chef Hubert Haciski, 26, who is stranded on Tortola and sheltered in the toilets of a hotel in Road Town for the storm, told the Sun: "We are running generators but the fuel is running low on the island."

Credit:
Jalon Manson Shortte

Sophie Leroy, 31, who now lives in London but lived on Tortola from the age of two to 29, has been speaking to friends she is able to communicate with about the devastation.

She said: "I really don't think people understand the scale of destruction. I have been through many hurricanes. This is like nothing I have ever seen in my entire life. It is uninhabitable and will be for months.

“This is very serious. Parts of the island are still inaccessible, people are unaccounted for and can't be searched for until roads are clear. In some places, there are just no more roads.

“Most of the island and all of the other islands are without communication - comms blackout."

A damaged vehicle flipped on its side in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Tortola, in the British Virgin IslandsCredit:
Jalon Manson Shortte

The support ship RFA Mounts Bay arrived off the British overseas territory bringing with it 40 Royal Marines and Army engineers to help rebuild other vital infrastructure damaged in the Category 5 storm.

After arriving, navy sources said Royal Marines had found “devastation”. The naval source added: “The islands haven’t escaped and it’s pretty grim out there.”

With another category five, Hurricane Jose, also approaching the Caribbean, the clock is ticking on the rescue effort.